Master or central station controller



Nov 24, 1953 E. R. KILGEN MASTER OR CENTRAL STATION CONTROLLER 5Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed April 9, 1951 INVENTOR. EUGENE R.KILGENFIG. 9.

Nov 24, 1953 E. R. KILGEN MASTER oR CENTRAL STATION CONTROLLER 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed April 9 INVENTOR. EUGENE R. KILGEN Nov 24,1953 E. R. KlLGEN MASTER OR CENTRAL STATION CONTROLLER 5 Sheets-Sheet 3Original Filed April 9, 1951 INVENTOR. EUGENE R. KILGEN Nov 24, 1953Original Filed April 9, 1951 E. R. KllL GEN 2,660,628

MASTER OR CENTRAL STATION CONTROLLER 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. EUGENER. KILGEN iiigmwwau Nov 24, 1953 E. R. KILGEN 2,660,628

MASTER 0R CENTRAL STATION CONTROLLER Original Filed April 9, 1951 5Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. l8.

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INVENTOR. EUGENE R. KILGEN Patented Nov. 24, 1953 MASTER OR CENTRALSTATION CONTROLLER Eugene R. Kilgen, University City, Mo.

Driginal application April 9,

219,947, now Patent No. 29, 1952. Divided and t 1951, Serial No.2,595,083, dated April his application March 24, 1952, Serial No.278,269

20 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in master or central stationcontroller for simplifying the individual or combination control over aplurality of remote station devices, mechanisms or the like, and is adivision of the earlier filed application for patent of Eugene H.Kilgen, Serial No. 219,947, filed April 9, 1951, directed to theSwitching system, and now Patent No. zesacse, dated April 29, 1952.

This invention is directed to switching means and has as an object theprovision of a master or central selective station controller whichshall be useful for the control of communication systems, calculatingmachines, railway signal and switching controls, airport lighting andtraffic control, control of the operation of aircraft and ships, fuelcontrol on aircraft, fire protection control, gunnery control, controlof aerial photography, and many other and similar devices, mechanismsand the like which may be controlled remotely.

It is an object to provide a master controller with a plurality ofcontrol means for remotely controllable devices, individual manualcontrol actuating means and a plurality of memory devices or means whichmay be impressed with a redetermined control function, sequence orcombination through the cooperation oi. the manual means whereby tocontrol the remote devices in any combination of groups, in any sequenceof grou combinations in a common series or in difierent series, in anyother combination, sequence, or variation thereof, all with a view toobtaining in a simple, compact central location the maximum number ofindividual, combination. and group controls for remotely locateddevices.

It is also object of the present invention to provide a series ofindividual remote station control members and a se'ies of combinationcontrol members, whereby the remote stations may be separatelycontrolled, a selected number or class of remote stations may becombined under one control, or a series of different combina-tions ofremote stations may be established.

It is a further object hereof to simplify the arrangement of remotestation and station combination controls in or on a master controller tothe end that the several remote stations may have individual controlmembers by which they may be indicated or recognized, and theco1nbination of remote stations may be controlled by a separate seriesof control members so interrelated with the individual control membersas to make use of th latter to indicate or show the combinations as theyare selected.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a master controllerhaving a compact arrangement of moving or working parts which permitsthe accumulation of a large number of control combinations in a smallhousing so that all thereof be advantageously mounted to isolate themfrom external vibration effects and to prevent the transmission of noisewhich may occur during operation of the controller.

The invention consists in the provision of a pluralit of remote circuitselecting means independently operable, a plurality of master controlmeans for combining the independent operation of the individual remotecircuit selecting means, and a series of memory devices on each mastercontroller adapted to maintain a preselected position by which theindividual selecting means may be caused to operate in the combinationsas desired.

The invention further consists in the arrangement of a plurality ofrockable member each having a circuit control switch and a manualactuator whose movement serves to indicate the on and oil positions ofthe control switch, and a plurality of reciprocable members each havingan element associated with each of the rockable members and anelectromagnetic or electromechanical operating device for causingreciprocation of its associated reciprocable member, thereby determininga predetermined combination operation of the rcckabl-e members and thecontrol switches responsive thereto.

This invention further consists in the improved parts and combinationsand arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter more specificallypointed out and described in connection with the drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a front elevation view of a master controller assembly;

2 is an enlarged top plan view, partly in section, of the mastercontroller assembly as viewed along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation showing details ofthe construction taken along the staggered section line 33 of Fig. 2;

i is a fragmentary sectional plan view line fil-t of Fig.

5 is a fragmentary elevational view showing a roclrable member insectional elevation in association with a memory eleinent carried by areciprocable member;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of Fig. 5 illustrating a differentposition of the rockable member and memory element;

Fig. 'i is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of a roclra-ble member ofthe assembly;

Fig. 8 is a greatly enlarged, partly sectioned, elevational view of anelectromagnetic means for actuating the-reciprocable member, the Viewbeing taken at line 8-43 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged. elevational view of an electromagnetic motormeans seen at line l t of Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is a greatly enlarged and partly sectioned view of thereci-procable member illustrating certain of the details of form andassembly of the movable memory element thereon;

Fig. 11 is a sectional detail view at line i l---i l of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged transverse sectional elevational view taken atline I'l -42 of 1;

Fig. 13 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary sec tional elevational view ofan actuator assembly associated with the rookable members;

Fig. 14 is a View, in section of a rockable member m dified over thatshown in connection with Fig. 10;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged, fragmentary elevational view of a bearingassembly for the shafts of the rockable members;

Fig. 16' is a sectional view of the bearing sembly taken at line IiiinFig. 15;

Fig. l? is a fragmentary elevational view of a reciprocable membermodified to provide for a single series of memory elements and a singleseries of rockable members;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary plan view of a modified mechanical arrangementfor actuating the reciprocable members of either Fig. 8 or 1'7 Fig. 19is a fragmentary elevational view at line 19-49 of Fig. 18; and

Fig. 201s a fragmentary plan view of the mechanism shown along line2fl-2ll of Fig. 19.

A presently preferred form of the invention has been disclosed inconnection with Figs. 1, and 3 of the drawings, and particular referencewill be made to these views for an understanding of the construction andprinciples of operation embodied in the improved master controller. Theimproved master controller may be convenicntly assembled in a housing Ahaving a front panel ill provided with one or more longitudinal openingsH through which extend the pivoted elements or tablets l2 for actuatingmechanism hereinafter to be described. Two openings or slot I! and. tworows of actuating tablets 12 have been disclosed in connection with Fig.1, although it is within the scope of this invention to have one, two ormore. Below the panel H) of housing A there is provided a lower panel.section [3 on which are mounted a plurality of button or plungeractuating elements M for switches l5. Switches iii are adapted tocontrol electromagnetic devices or electromechanical. means, all ofwhich will be more fully explained hereinafter.

Referring now to Figs. 2, 3 and 12, the housing A is provided with abase B carried at the lower inner face of panel In and projectingrearwardly into the housing above the bottom panel for supportin thecircuit controlling assembly 16. At the rear margin of base B there isprovided a supporting bracket I! which is adapted to carry a series orbank of switch elements I8, each switch element being adapted forcontrol association and connection with a remotely located device,mechanism or the like, which it support members 20 and to the rear faceof the panel I!) (Fig. 12). This control assembly frame provided with afront wall 23 and. a rear wall 24, the walls being in spaced verticalrelation to support therebetween a series of remote circuit selectingmeans or roclrably mounted members In the view of Figs. 3, 8 and 12, itwill be observed that an upper and a lower series of cir cuit selectingmeans or rockable members has been provided, though one or more than twosuch series may be employed. Each of the rockable members is mounted forangular movement in bearin assemblies 26, by which the horizontallydirected shaft 2? of each of the members 25 is supported. The forwardportion of each shaft 72'! is angularly bent or offset to form a crankportion 23 which, in turn, is operatively connected by means of arelatively stiff strap element 29 with a corresponding one of thetablets 12. It will be observed. in Figs. 2 and 12 that there isprovided an upper and a lower bani; or series of tablets l2 whichcorrespond with the upper and lower series of rockable mem here 2%respectively. In order to fit all of the rockable members and the cranks23 therefor into the space, it has been found convenient to stagger theupper and lower series of rockablc members and, as a consequence, thetablet it are also staggered in like order.

In Fig. 13, there has been disclosed in detail the means for operablymounting tablet it which may be taken as typical of; the constri tionfor each of the tablets in each of the ser or rows thereof. At the rearface of panel 43 there is mounted. a plate 3! provided with a plu--rality of ears 32, adjacent ones of which pivotallgv support a headelement 33 by means of a pivot pin or shaft 34 having bearing en" -cmcntin and between the adjacent cars 32. Each tablet [2 projects forwardlyof the front face of panel H] through the previously mentioned slot 1 land is secured in a head element 33. The tablet movable within thelimits of slot H to cause movement of the head about the axis of thepivot pin 34. Head element 33 is formed with a rearwardly projecting armon which is fixedly mounted a finger 36, one end of finger 36 beingconnected to the vertically directed strap 29, and the opposite endbeing formed to project upwardly, as at 31.

In cooperation with each of the pivoted head elements and in substantialvertical alignment therewith, there is provided a fixed abutment pin 38for pivotally anchoring on end of a toggle spring 39. The spring 39 hasits fulcrum located in the slotted end of the abutment pin 38, and thebody loop of the spring is flexed by movement of the finger 3! into oneor the other of two positions having an over center relation withrespect to a neutral position which is in the plane parallel to andpassing through the axis of pivot pin 34 and containing the fulcrumpoint at the notch-ed end of the abutment pin 38. With this constructionin mind, it will be appreciated. that in the full line position oftablet 12 (Fig. 13), the toggle spring 38 will react to maintain thetablet in its up position against the upper buiier pad il? suitablycarried or seecured in the slot ll. On the other hand, when tablet iiiis displaced downwardly to its dotted line po... on, toggle spring 33will have its lower end engagin finger moved inwardly past the saidneutral position so as to react in a direc tion tending to hold thetablet l?! in its down position against a second buffer pad M suitablyfixed on the lower face of slot I i In connection with the describedmovement of tablet it will be observed that the rearward 1y projectingfinger carried by the pivoted head will exert a vertical pull on thestrap 25 to cause a vertically directed displacement thereof rich, inturn, will raise the crank 1201* tion 28 of the roclzable membersconnected there to. In the views of El 3 and 12, when a verticaldisplacement o the connecting strap 29 occurs due to downuarel pivotingmovement of a tablet the resulting upward angular displaceme t of theassociated cranl: portion 28 will cause i rotation or reciting movementof the ember Due to the toggle action of the en s each tablet i2 willremain in its movei. po ion. either against the upper buffer ii; orlower buffer it, when rocked about the pivot pin Tablet movement can beby manual manipulation from the front or by motion of the crank portionsas will appear. Since the straps 2 are called upon to transmit motionbetween members and actuating tablets it, they are formed of arelatively stiff material so as to resist bending or buckling undernormal loads.

Referring again to Figs. 2, 3 and 12 of the drawing, each of therockable members has its operating ill extending rearwar-dly where it iso eratively mounted in a bearing assenibly to, similar in form andconstruction to the bearings for supporting the forward end of thisshaft adjacent the cranl; portion as. The outer or rearward free end. ofthe shaft 2! car rice the contact eleinent of the remote circuit controlswitch it being observed that the contact element in is positioned toengage and. bridge th. two electrodes is of this switch.

tch consists of a base as of suitable elect ical insulation materialhaving slots or recesses therein to receive electrically isolate each ofthe electrodes and to movement Men the outwardly nrojecting ends are 3yr-ntact element 42. In the view of i be observed that the upper bank ortches ill similarly angularly turned that the projecting electrodes atoverengaged i Fig. wi

l the position. of theroclzalole shaft 2'! carryine: the contactassociated with. such electrodes. 3n the other hand, the lower bank orseries of switches iii are placed in a position substantially oppositelydirected relative to the upper bank so that the projecting electrodesunderlie the movable contact :32 carried by the rockable shaft El of thelower series of members 25.

Each switch 28 (Fig. 3) has a pair of terminals ts, each of which is acontinuation of the electrodes bridged by movable contact #2. The term;als are connected with circuit lead wires which. in turn, are brought tothe switches ll through openings 1'! in the switch bracket il from awire bundle 5-36. The bundle S0 is made up of the multiplicity ofcircuit leads coming to the master controller from all of the remotelylocated devices, mechanisms, etc. (not shown).

The control assembly It also includes a plurality of reciprocablemembers or master con- 43 trol means it which are arranged in vertical,spaced relation and at an angle to the position assumed by each of therockable members 25. In the present assembly, the reciprocable'lnem hersare angularly arranged for movement in a 10 direction at 90 degrees tothe axis of the rockable member shaft 2?. Each of the reciprocablemembers is suitably formed as a flat sheet metal stamping 'ovidecl withone or more series of openings or apertures il (two series being shownin Fig. 3) through which the respective rockable members 25 are arrangedto extend. The shape or configuration of the openings l'i thus providedin. each of the members ie may be seen upon inspection of 3. The severalreciprocable members "it are stiiiened by longitudinally directedmarginal beads and conveniently supported and guided in the lowersupport members 19, the support member being formed with a suitablegroove to receive the lower longitudinal edge thereof. Similarly, theupper lon- .itudina1 edge of each of the members as is guided throughthe provision of a guide groove in the upper support member it. All ofthe re inrocable members are to be mainta 'ie-rl in a retracted orinonc- .ve no on (to the l ft in Figs. 2 and 3) by means dummy lockablemember 25' which its it connected through a suitable re- .it spring toan anchor so that the spring maintains a force on o portion 28' in acounter aloe? in, thereby tending to rotate the ie member 25' incounterclockwise (li The dummy roc abl member is honed (Fig. 3) in 4" fthe members and is oriented to of such o eninx or ring ll to be neinber5&5. ch of re en buffer oy bu Fret arm tG-KQ G bei n such coalition thatthe members when returned shrine lit t th ir inoperative position (Piorb the l0 11 will that the reciprocable is provided with combinedmemory and n. ..-t.ion control tappet means so res ooiodi. 5 to theopenings a the mounted in each of the openings therein. Each tap oeteleroent i of a suitable spring or resilient in 'irial. hico a pal: ofparallel, spacerl all are integrally J'ted by a e wall portion. thelatter divided into mi er and lower striker and to respective transverseall at the central zone thereof by 'b lots being located on each siticof a central stirrup of arcuate or curved form. The side walls of thetagopet are provided with rearwardly extending portions ea of wh ch isfurther formed with a pair or out \varziiy project g shaped r The i earsare in opposite alignment, as are the recesses -gs. l0 and ii) areoperon a web portion 66 between adjacent openings 41. Each. web portion66 is proviticd with an opening 5'! in which mounted a ball bearingelement St. The location of the ball bearing ope... g at horizontal midportion of the openin s ll and adjacent one of the vertical ---rgins theeof. In the opposite vertical mar- 16 Wei) portion there is formed rterally zllzected proiection having an edge .e surface between. thespaced nibs 12 and Tappet means rcmovahly mounted the open of member 46with the side walls th f located to on each side of ll) so that theoppositely aligned walls may be 'ng element 68, simul consequence,received in 5 iii and act to retain. 1 on. its hearing saddle surt d. inthis position, each ally retained in either sending upon which of or inengagement aring element 58 embraced t .struction and method of r ineach of the openings 4'! (1' l ant typical for all or the re spectivemembers M5.

In the construction of present mas or con trcller, roclaable membersmost easily constructed of sheet metal and are conveniently iormecl intiles or by other area to provide c tral elongated curved channel '5 wh'l aze fl, soldered or other H. al lmgth of the shaft 2?. The membervie-eel 1 laterally directed wing portions a strip lii oi suitablereerial. Each strip '15 held by means of an inner "1;: tabs ll by theouter al edge 18. In the several s. 5, S and i one both striker l: of netappet Ella 'e engagement with the butler strips 19 "t: the theroeltalile member 25, -lerehy cc. can hard surfaces is prev lted and.noise i'ectively suppressed.

poi; out, the members 46 means lib a e adapted to move .-ection, whereasthe memhers ecterl at angle to the members reel: or rotate about the .veshafts. Relative movement, era. rocltable members 25 and reu, it willcause the tappet 2r he by the 1ocl:.ble

' 1. reciprocating motion oi? each of the obtained in preferred form ofthe inven ough the provision of elec tree ietic 11182 now to heale-scribed. Reference ill be has. to tries. 8 9 for the details of theelectr c ignetic means employed for one of the le it, it beingunderstood. that means is used for all thereof.

The member 49 of 8 has a projecting lug on which is movahly carried apull arm 8i. AXLE-1.57 beyond the movable pull arm 8| of the member lii,there is located a support structure C on whicn suitably mounted a smallelectromagnetic actuator 32 having its magnetic armature 83 movable in avertical direction. The armature is urged in a downward direction bymeans of a resilient element or spring 84 having operating engagementwith the armature 83 by means 85. The lower projecting end of armature83 extends through an opening in the supportstructure C and is providedwith a threaded stud B6 adjustahly supporting a lever 81, one end oflever 81 being loosely supported in the structure C by element 88 andthe opposite end forming a striker head 90 carrying a buffer strip 9|.Lever 81 is supported in its inoperative position by means, of anadjustable bar 92 which is carried at the underside of the supportstructure C. In 8, striker 99 on the lever 81 is shown in itsinoperative position with the corresponding pull arm 8! resting on thebutler strip 9| of the striker. The outer end of arm 8i is provided withan upwardly directed hook portion 93 which is located below a rotatableshaft 94 carrying thereon a depending fin member 95 which extends alongthe shaft 94 above the location of all of the pull arms 8!, and moreparticularly above the hooked portions 93 thereof. The fin 95 carries asuitable butler strip 98. Actuation of the armature 83 of theelectromagnetic device 82 elevates the striker 9i on lever 81, therebybringing the hook portion 9}} of the associated arm BI into engagementwith the depending fin 95 on shaft 94. This armature actuation therebyeffects an operating engagement between the reciprocahle member and theoperating shaft 94. In the view of counterclockwise rotation ofoperating raft is required to slide or move the eetromegnetic motormeans 199 (Fig 2. and 9) c with its armature I connected to a arm I02 bymeans of a clevis connector i The operating crani: N92 for shaft 9tprovided with a laterally projecting arm its adapted to engage anadjustable stop element 05 carried by bracket I96. The e crating shaft 9is conveniently rotationally supported in c ing bracket I91 locatedadjacent the electronic netic motor means I99 and in a second similarhearing 5528 (Fig. 2) supporting the opposite end of said shaft. Motormeans Hill and hearing 22'! are carried on a platform H9 supported byan. auxiliary base block ill secured to one end of the base 13 on whichthe control assembly H3 is mounted. It has been previously pointed outhat the operating mechanism shown and (te scribed in connection withFig. 8 me" be taken as typical of the operating means associated witheach of the reciprocable members 56. On the other hand, theelectromagnetic motor means lllt is adapted to operate any 0.? thereciprocable members 86 having its hooked null arm 3! in engagement withthe depending 1n on shaft 59..

A guard plate 9! is attached to the fun as to prevent the other pullarms 8| being actuated by the other electromagnetic means 9?; to raisedposition where the hooked portion 533 may move behind the fin 95 andprevent its return re lease the selected one of the arms iii.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 2, the ri hand one 01' the buttonelements It for the s means l5 has been shown in detail with respect toa typical electrical circuit system associated with the electromagneticactuator means 82 and the electromagnetic motor means I99. Each of theswitches under control of the switch button it is adapted to control asimilar electrical circuit, but only one typical circuit has beendisclosed in Fig. 2, in orc er to avoid. confusion in the drawings.witch means ill comprises bridge element ass and three switch contactsH5, Elli, and ill. Contact US is connected to a source or" electricalenergy such as the battery H8, however it is understood that the currentsource may -jl err current. From battery i it, a lead 5 it catches intoconnection with the motor means its, a branch 12%? be 2g taken from leadlit for co ection with the electromagnetic actuator 5 closed inconnection with Fig. 8. he opposite sid formotor ti l nested with switchcontact l= The opposite side of the circuit for the electromagneticactuator 82 is made by lean with the switch contact H5.

i is depressed its bridge element lit ally connects switch contacts Hand i 5 thereby closing the battery circuit through the s and theelectrcmagnetic actuator ano. causing the elevation of the pivoted pullto bring its hooked end lit into engagement with the fin ti on shaft st.Continued inward movement of button it causes its bridge element i tocontact thereby closing the battery circuit th ough leads H53- and iiiwith the motor means Energization of motor means in rocking displacementof the shaft or and reciprocation of the engaged member withoutnecessitating movement of the others thereof. Release of the switchbutton it; breaks each of the above described circuits to theelectromagnetic means 32 and motor means wi thereby permitting the pullarm ill to drop free of the fin which time return spring (Fig. 3) causesthe dummy roclzable member 25 to restore that one of the members whichbeen reciprccated to inoperative position.

The c oration of the master controller which forms the preferredembodiment of the invention will now be described in connection withFigs. 2 8. will first assumed that each of the tablets has been moved toits upper posiinch co responds with the open or circuit break positionof the associated switch means 58, and that each of the switch buttons54 is in its outward, on" position. Now let it be assumed that it isdesired to individually, manually control remotely located devices X, a,and Z (not shown) corresponding the tablets 52 marked X, 'i'." Obviouslyone, or any group or series of these tablets i2 may be individuallyactuated, desired. To accomplish individual or separate control, theoperator at th master controller simply depresses the individual tabletsi225, it? or i255 to move them to their circuit maize position.Rccisable members for each or these tablets are rotated, thus causingthe respective switch arm contacts 22 to bridge the pairs of electrodes551 cc each tablet H has a toggle spring the s' itches it affected bytablets HEX, or iii; will remain in circuit maize or on position un 'lthe tablet is manually elevated or moved to or break position.

Now if it is desired to group the remote devices (not shown) forsimultaneous and repeated operation, the operator must first push in onthe appropriate switch button Actuation of the switch l5 associated withthe button I4 thus selected, will shift or reciprocate the associatedreciprocable member 46 by its arm 81 and electro- I0 magnetic means 332and motor means Hill. Hold ing button 14 depressed, maintains the member36 in operative position (Fig. 5) relative to the inoperative positionof the rockable members 25. It may also be assumed that the tappet means56 on the operated one of the members 26 are in inoperative or offpositions, such as is shown in Fig. 5, and that they are i'rictionallyretained by reason of the pair of spherical reccsses 6 engaging the ballbearing element 68 (Fig. 11). Now in order to set up the simultaneous orrepeat control of the desired remote. devices (not shown), the operatormust depress the tablets 12X, :23. and lEZ, thereby rocking theassociated members 25 to their operative positions illustrated in Fig.6, for purposes of example. This displacement of members 25 shifts theposition of the tappets 56 so that the tappet is frictionally held inits new or on position by reason of the spherical recesses 65 engagingthe ball element 68. It will be remembered that depression or downwardmovement of the tablets it shifts the active position or the togglespring means 39 to retain the tablets in such moved position. As a.consequence, the associated switch means I 3 is retained closed,completing a control circuit through such switch to the associatedremotely located mechanism or device (not shown) which is connectedthereto. If the operator new releases switch button 14, thereby breakingthe respective circuits to the electromagnetic actuator B2 and motormeans tell it will be appreciated that the reciprocable member at willbe r turned to its inoperative position by action of spring means 54]through the dummy rockable member as. The tablets MK, iEY and ten will,however, remain depressed until they are manually moved to their oil orup positions, thereby opening the respective switch means it anddecontrolling the remotely located devices.

If, at a later time, it should be desired to reestablish control overthese remotely located devices, the operator at the master controller isrequired only to push the switch button it so designated, causingmovement of the same reciprocable member as to its operative position,and. by which movement the memory means or tappets 56, previously setup, will forcibly and automatically rock members 25 to the on positionfor closing the switches l8 associated therewith. This function of thetappets is the equivalent of providing the controller with a capacity toremember a given group or combination or unit control plan. It may bevisually followed by observing the movement of the tablets liiX, i2! andIZZ, corresponding to the example given.

The value of the tappet means lit resides in their function to remain ina given position unless acted upon by a superior external force. Theexternal force required can come only from the rockable members 25 whenthe latter are moved by manual manipulation of the connected tablets it.If the tablet i2 is not manually held or moved, the connected rockablemember 25 is relatively free and can be moved by the memory tappet meanstill when the reciprocable member 46 is displaced. For example, in Fig.5, the angular position of the member 25 corresponds with itsinoperative position in which its switch means It is open, and thetappet means fat is in a like position. The member 25 and tappet means56 are adjacent by reason of the reciprocable member all having beenmoved to the right relative to the position of shaft 2? for member 25.

Now consider the positions assumed by the parts disclosed in Fig. 6. Thereciprocable member 46 is shown in its operative position or moved tothe right and the rockable member 25 is shown in its circuit makeposition. The effect of these combined movements of members 46 and 25 isto produce a shift in the angular position of the tappet 56 from theinoperative position of Fig. 5, whereby the means 55 has the pairedspherical recesses 65 in position embracing the ball bearing 58 carriedin the web 65 of member 46. Should the reciprocable member 46 be nowmoved to the left relative to the shaft 21, the tappet 55 will remain inthe shifted position and will move away from the rockable member 25,thereby leaving suflicient space in which the member 25 may be moved toits inoperative position, so that the parts have positions as shown inFig. 10.

Accordingly, the reciprocation of any one of the members 45 will causethe means carried thereby to assume positions within the path of motionof the rockable members 25. If all of the rockable members 25 are in aninoperative position and all of the means 56 are likewise in aninoperative position, motion of any one of the members 46 will notproduce displacement of members 25 or tappet elements 56. On the otherhand, with a member 46 in its moved position, the elements 56 or any ofthem on that member may be shifted to operative position by manualmanipulation of the desired tablets I2,

thereby rockably displacing the connected members 25 to set up anydesired one or a combination of the elements 56. Conversely, if theelements 55 carried by the reciprocable member 46 have been set up orimpressed with a predetermined desired combination, movement of member46 will cause the preset elements 55 to strike the desired combinationof rockable members 25 and cause them to move into circuit make positionclosing the respective switches I8 associated therewith.

Referring now to Figs. and 16, there has been shown a novel bearingassembly for supporting each end of the respective shafts 21 carryingthe rockable members 25. It is noted that the bearing assembly to bedescribed is typical of each of the bearings required for mounting theseshafts 21. The bearing comprises a non metallic annular element I25which surrounds the shaft 21 and a holder I26 for the non metallicelement, which holder surrounds the shaft and supports the element onthe frame wall, such as the front wall 23. Holder I26 is provided with aplurality of spaced inturned prongs I21 which engage in suitable slotsformed in the front wall 23 about the shaft aperture. Holder I26supports the non metallic element I25 by means of a plurality ofoutturned fingers I28. A snap ring retainer I29 is provided toreleasably engage recesses in an outer portion of the shaft I21 adjacentelement I25. A shaft bearing element of this form is particularly wellsuited for use in connection with the master controller hereindescribed, as it supports the shaft 21 against vibration effects andreduces friction to a minimum. Furthermore the nature and constructionof this bearing facilitates assembly of the shafts 21, and greatlyreduces the cost involved.

Fig. 17 discloses a modified form of reciprocable member 46 in which asingle series of memory tappets 56 has been mounted. Such modifiedmembers 46' are, however, movably con-- trolled by means similar to thatdisclosed in connection with Fig. 8. Briefly, this mechanism incontrolcircuit for a remotely located device by eludes the striker 9U efiectiveto elevate pull arm 8| into hooked connection with the depending fin onthe operating shaft 94 thereby mechanically connecting the member 46with the operating shaft 94. Movement of the striker 9|] in an upwarddirection is obtained through the provision of electromagnetic meanssuch as that shown at 82 in Fig. 8.

In Figs. 18 through 20, there is disclosed a modified form of thepresent invention in which the electromagnetic operating means shown anddescribed in connection with Figs. 8 and 9 has now been replaced by anelectromechanical op erating mechanism. The previously described pushbottoms I4 for electric switches I5 have, in the modified arrangement,been replaced by push buttons I4 directly connected to rearwardlyextending push rods. Beginning at the right hand one of the push buttonsI4 of Fig. 18, it will be observed that the push rods I32, I33, I34 andI35 progressively increase in length. Each of these push rods isconnected to a motion changing pivoted element I35 movably mounted on asuitable support member I31 by means of pivot forming elements I38. Themotion changing elements I36 are connected with a second series ofvariable length push rods I40, I4I, I42 and I43, all of the latter pushrods extending in a co amon direction for operative connection w" hseries of substantially identical pivoted levers I45. A typical one ofthe levers I45 has been disclosed in Fig. 19, such lever I45 beingassociated with the push rod I4I. Each of the levers I45 is pitoted atelement I46 intermediate its ends on a suitable bracket I41 carriedadjacent an end face of the base B. The upper ends of each of thepivoted levers I45 have rotatable adjustment elements I55 adapted toreceive in threaded engagement the end of a pull arm I5I. The poll armsI5I are identical, and each thereof is com nected with a lug I52 formedon or carried by the adjacent end of the reciprocable member 42'. Thepresently modified electromechanical actuating mechanism operates tomake or break the the previously described switch means it. mechanicalportion of this control system lated with the modified reciprocablemaster eontrol members 46 which in the present disclosure are similar tothe modified member 46' shown in Fig. 17. The modified members 46 have asingle series of openings, each containing one of the tappet elements55.

In operation, reciprocating motion of the m-em bers 46 may be obtainedby manually depres a selected one of the buttons I4, causing pivotingdisplacement of the motion changing member I35 and consequentlongitudinal displacement of the connected push rod I4I. In the view i18, this control function has been shown in c nection with displacementof push rods I33 anr I4I to cause pivoting movement of the verticallydirected lever I45 and displacement of the member 45' connected to thelever I45 by means of the pull arm I5I. The means by which each of themembers 45' is returned to its inoperative position has not been shownhere, as it is similar to that shown in connection with Fig. 3 at 28'and 50. It should be clear how this spring operated return mechanism maybe applied to the modified reciprocable members 46.

Fig. 14 discloses a modified construction which may be employed for eachof the rockable members '25 of Fig. 10. The modified rockable member I55is formed with a central longitudinally directed channel 156 havingoppositely directed curved wings I51 and a rolled edge its, impartinglongitudinal stifi-ness to the member. The modified rockable member maybe employed in master controller assemblies where it is not particularlynecessary to suppress or deaden noise. i'herefore, it is noted that themodified rockable member 1155 has not been made for securing a noisesuppressor strip on the wing portions I51, such as has been included inconnection with the rockable members 25. In constructing a rockablemember of the modified type of Fig. i l, the curving configuration ofeach wing portion must be given an increased depth to make it conform tothe efiective curvature of the buher strip 16 carried by the preferredform of rockable member 25, so that the same physical relationship maybe preserved with the elements t. Constructing the modified rockablemembers i555 in this manner will permit complete and fullinterchangeability with the first described rockable members 25.

The master controller is connected with the remotely located devices,mechanisms, etc. (not shown) by the pairs of leads in the wire bundle orcable 3E5, Figs. 2 and 12. A suitable master on-off switch ltil isconnected into this cable to permit the controller to be operated intoits several control combinations, as desired, without actually affectingthe devices controlled during the set up operation. A single switch it!)has been shown, but more switches may be employed as occasions demand.

some materials for construction have been sugsested herein, but theinvention is not to be limited in this respect as the use or applicationhereof will to a large extent determine the materials actually used.Suffice it to state that metal, wood or a combination may be used andthat certain plastic materials and plastic treated or impregnatedmaterials may also be found suitable, depending upon costs involved, theservice requirements and whether or not it should be fire resistant orprotected for shock and vibration eifects.

Commercial applications of the present master controller are many andvaried, including therein a complete signal and switch control systemfor a railway yard and station layout, operation of the many instrumentsand recording devices found in connection with wind tunnels, and controlover the operation of a ship. It may be mentioned also that the presentinvention has utility in connection with the operation of the largeairplanes, both commercial and military. For example, the control ofaircraft engine starting and flight operation, the selection orswitching of fuel tanks, the detection of fire and operation of fireprotection systems, cabin pressure and ventilation, and many otherfunctions can be controlled from the present controller by arranging theseveral control functions in groups which can be pro-selected before theaircraft leaves the ground. The concept of master controls may beadapted for operating a warship, and for the control of aerialphotography from a master control to individual cameras in severalairplanes.

It is also within the present invention to employ any reasonable rangeof electrical current or voltage, whether direct or alterating, and thata rectifier or transformer may be added to adjust the current to suitconditions.

The present invention has been described in connection with a preferredembodiment and in the light of certain modifications thereof, but itshould be clearly understood that further and additional modificationsin the construction of the several parts and in their arrangements inthe assembly may come within the scope of the claims hereinafterappearing.

What is claim is:

1. In a master controller for remotely located means to be controlledthrough circuit connections to the controller, the combination ofcircuit selecting means movable between circuit make and breakpositions, control means movable adjacent said selecting means betweenoperative and inoperative positions to control the remotely locatedmeans, and tappet means mounted on said control means for movementbetween on and off positions corresponding with the respective make andbreak positions of said selecting means, said tappet means beingadjacent said selecting means in the operative position of said controlmeans for influencing the position of said selecting means and beingremoved from influence over said selecting means in the inoperativeposition of said control means.

2. A master controller as set forth in claim 1, wherein said circuitselecting means is angularly movable between its said positions, andsaid tappet means is mounted for angular shifting movement between itssaid positions.

3. A master controller as set forth in claim 1, wherein said controlmeans is movable in a linear path, and means is connected with saidcontrol means yieldingly to retain the latter in said inoperativeposition.

i. A master controller as set forth in claim 1, wherein said controlmeans is movable relative to said selecting means in a linear path,electromagnetic means is connected with said control means for movingthe latter in said linear path into operative position, and means isconnected with said control means yieldingly to retain the latter insaid inoperative position.

5. A master controller as set forth in claim 1, wherein said controlmeans is manually movable into said operative position, and resilientmeans is connected with said control means for urging the latter intosaid inoperative position.

6. A master controller as set forth in claim 1, wherein said controlmeans is apertured to receive said circuit selecting means therein, andsaid tappet means is mounted in said apertured control means adjacentsaid selecting means.

7. In a master controller for remotely located devices having controlcircuit connections with the master controller, the combination ofcircuit selecting members for each of the devices to be controlled, saidselecting members each being movable between circuit make and breakpositions, a plurality of control members disposed adjacent saidselecting members and movable between operative and inoperativepositions, and tappet means carri d by said control members adjacentsaid selecting means, said tappet means being selectively movable intoand out of positions for determining the movement of said circuitselecting members in predetermined combinations corresponding with theoperative posititon of said control members.

8. A master controller as set forth in claim '7, wherein each of saidcircuit selecting members is rockably movable between said make andbreak positions, and said tappet means are carried by said controlmembers for angular shifting movement into and out positions fordetermining the movement of said circuit selecting members,

9. A master controller as set forth in claim '2, wherein said controlmembers are movable in tappet means for each of said circuit selectingmembers, and means is carried by said control members to be engaged bysaid tappct means individually for temporarily holding said tappet meansin said selected positions of movement.

11. A master controller as set forth in claim 7, wherein electromagneticmotor means is provided for moving control members, and separateactuator means connects each of said control members i said motor meansfor individual movement thereof.

12. A'nia ter controller as set forth in claim 7, wherein separatenanually operable means is provided for moving plurality of controlmembers into said operative position, and resilient means is providedcommon to said plurality of control members for yieldingly retaining thelatter in inoperative position.

13. In a centre. a frame structure, a plurality oi recs; bis inenibersbearingecl in said frame, means connected With each rockable member formoving the same and indicating the position by such niovein .it, aseries of control inernl'lers carried by said frame and movablerelatively across the path of movement of said rcclrable members, meansfor moving each of control members between operative and inoperativepositions relative to said rockable members, cannot elements carried byeach or. said control members for each of said rockable lnemhere, saidtappets being roclra'ole between positlons influencing said rockablemembers and removed therefrom, and separate friction elements carried insaid control members to be embraced by said tappet elements forresisting rockable displacement of the tappets.

14.. The controller as set forth in claim 13, wherein said means formoving said control'rnemhers comprises electromagnetic motor means formoving; said members and electromagnetic actuator means individual tsaid members for inter connecting a selected control member with saidelectromagnetic rector means.

15. The controller as set forth in claim 13, wherein moving means forsaid control members includes a manual element for each said con trclmember, and a series of lovers connected between ci said manual elementsand the control member therefor.

16. In a controller, the combination of a control member movable betweenoperative and inoperative positions, tan-pet means movably carried bysaid control member and having preselected angular positions, roclzablemeans adjacent said control member movable responsijvely to said tappetmeans to assume the angular position of the latter, said rockable meansand tappet means coming into contact upon movement of said controlmember into operative position, and noise suppressing means carried byone of said means.

17. The combination set forth in claim 16, wherein rockaole means isformed with oppositery extending wings arranged selectively to contactWith said tappet element, and said noise suppressing means is carried onsaid Wings.

18. In a controller, the combination of a reciprocating member havinbgan opening therein, a

rockabie member extending througl said open-- ins, atappet roclrablybearinged on said reciproeating member one margin of said opening, saidtappet havingspaced side portions embracing said reciprocating memberand formed with spaced recesses in each side portion, a ball eleni'entcarried in said reciprocating member in position to have different onesof said tappet side recesses snap into engagement with the ball elcmentin differ nt positions of said tappet, said tappet being retained indifierent positions for influencing the movement of said rockable memberupon movement of reciprocating member, and control means connected withsaid roclo able member.

19. In a controller for remotely to be controlled in selected groupsthrcu' connections established at tl conti l1. combin: ion of individualswitching means connecten to the remotely l 'cated means, in idualcircuit selecting means for each or said .tching means reversiblymovable to open a lil cease said switching means, a plurality of con rolmembers movable between circuit establishing positions and circuit openpositions, control members being located adjacent all of said cir "iii;select-- ing means, tappet means carried on each of said control membersadjacent each oi said circuit selecting Inca each said tappet meansbeing selectively movable into and out of a position for influencing theposition of said cir cult selecting me; 13 in the circuit establishingposition of said control member on which it is carried, and annuallyoperate means operatlvely connects to each of said control members to'YILQVB the control members ind ldually to select a group of switchingmeans established by selected ones or said tappet means being in saidoositions for influencing the position of said adjacent circuitselecting means.

in a controller for remotely located. means be controlled individuallyor in s lected groups through circuit connect he established controller:the combination oi plurality of individual switch means connected to themotelylocated means to be controlled, switch means having circuit makeand breal: positions, a movable circuit selecting member connected toeach switch means, manually movable means connected to each circuitselecting member for moving the latter member selectively into positionsfor determining the make andb ealr positions of the connected switchmeans, and or cup c itrcl means adjacent all of said circuit select inmembers, said group control means including slide member movable betweenoperative and inoperative positions and selectively movable tan ets onslide member adjacent each 0'' cult selecting member, said tappetshaving a first position for influencing the group movement of adjacentcircuit selecting members "to melee circ its at the connected switchmeans for the operative position of said slide member, and said tappetshaving a second position out of group movement influencing relation tosaid circuit selecting rnernher for either position of said slidemember.

EUGENE KlLG-EN.

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